Lawrence County Attorney Mike Hogan and Sheriff Garrett Roberts"...The safety and security of the students, teachers, and staff at all Lawrence County Schools is of paramount concern to each of us. We are committed to doing all within our power to take any and all threats of violence serious in the aftermath of the senseless tragedies that have occurred both in Kentucky and throughout the nation.

We urge anyone with credible information regarding potential threats involving any school, individual, or group, to immediately contact Kentucky State Police, the Lawrence County Sheriff's Department, or the Louisa City Police. Please do not hesitate to do so.

In an age where social media outlets such as Facebook, Twitter, and Snapchat can sometimes produce false and/or erroneous information, we urge all parties to avoid spreading potentially frightening claims that have not come from official sources.

We want the public to know two things: we are taking all measures to fully investigate and follow up on all information regarding threats of violence, and until further notice, there will be a 24-hour police presence at all Lawrence County Schools either from KSP, the Lawrence County Sheriff's Department, or the Louisa City Police. We are implementing this at the request of Superintendent Fletcher, not to alarm anyone, but as a protective measure.

Know that each of us, in addition to our official roles, have a role far greater, and that is as parents. We share in the fears and concerns and we will do everything possible to insure the well-being of our children."

JUVENILE CHARGED WITH TERRORISTIC THREATENING 2ND DEGREE AFTER SECOND THREAT REPORT RECEIVED AT LCHS

Ashland, Ky. (February 20, 2018) – On Tuesday morning, February 20, 2017 the Kentucky State Police Post 14 in Ashland was contacted by the Lawrence County School system and advised of a second threat allegation involving another student at the high school. This allegation involved another male juvenile at the high school and was in no way related to the unfounded rumor from earlier in the day. (SEE STORY BELOW)

Trooper Forest Newsome U/762 responded and began an investigation.

During the course of the investigation it was determined a 17 year-old male student at the school had made statements related to him carrying out a school shooting.

The Lawrence County Attorney’s Office and Lawrence County Court Designated Worker were consulted and the 17 year old juvenile was charged with Terroristic Threatening 2nd Degree and has been lodged in the Boyd County Juvenile Detention Center.

With the quick response and assistance provided by the Lawrence County School Administration the Kentucky State Police was able to resolve both threat incidents received at the high school today.

First threat came Monday

Ashland, Ky. – On Tuesday, February 20, 2017 the Kentucky State Police Post 14 in Ashland was contacted by the Lawrence County School system and requested to conduct an investigation into a report of threats being made by a male juvenile at the school.

Information had been received from students claiming a male at the school had made both verbal threats and social media posts claiming he was going to carry out acts of violence at the school.

A joint investigation between school administrators and Troopers determined the allegations were untrue and had been fabricated by another student at the school. The allegation of social media postings were also false and part of the rumor started by the female student.

The student responsible for spreading the rumor has been disciplined by the school system for the role they playing in the incident.

The Kentucky State Police in Ashland requests any threats of violence received be reported to the appropriate authorities, but urge all individuals to refrain from spreading any information that is not factual.

Parents are asked to discuss the seriousness of these complaints with their children. All complaints should be reported, but children need to understand the damage that can be caused by spreading false rumors of this nature.

LAWRENCE SUPT. FLETCHER

"...The Lawrence County School System received a second report earlier concerning a threat made by a Lawrence County High School student. For clarification, the student was not in attendance in our schools today.

Also, this event WAS IN NO WAY related to the rumors that were addressed earlier today. School officials reported this to the Kentucky State Police.

I was notified as of 8:02 PM that the Kentucky State Police completed their investigation, and the student was taken into custody. As stated earlier, any and all threats will be reported to the Kentucky State Police.

Finally, I sincerely appreciate the work of KSP and the commitment of our local law enforcement to be in our schools in the days to come."

At the United Nations headquarters in New York

A historic number of Americans—including former Louisian Sonny Branham of Tulsa, OK, will gather at the UN at the United Nation Association of the United States of America’s (UNAUSA) annual Global Engagement Summit this weekend at UN Headquarters in New York City.

Prof. Sonny Branham, formerly of Louisa is in his 18th year teaching at Oral Roberts University.Prof. Branham, who is in his 18th year teaching at Oral Roberts University, is the son of the late Millard F. and Merica Skaggs Branham. His deceased grandfather was the beloved Rev. Felix Skaggs. Branham’s sister Mrs. Ruth Ellen Kelley lives in Huntington, WV.

With more than 1,500 attendees expected, the Global Engagement Summit will likely be the largest assembly ever of Americans gathered in response to the livelihood of the UN.

The convening takes place at a pivotal moment for the world and the U.S.-UN relationship. The planet is facing the worst humanitarian and refugee crisis since World War II, terrorism, and threats from climate change.

Meanwhile, American leaders are deliberating the nations’ role at theUN, and several UN priorities are under scrutiny both on Capitol Hill and at the White House. While political leaders may be in disaccord, research shows that American voters registered in both major parties agree that sustained U.S. leadership at the UN is vital. A significant percentage believe it is important for the U.S. to maintain an active role at the UN.

To demonstrate this overwhelming support for strong U.S.- UN engagement, Americans from across the country will meet at the United Nations to participate in sessions on pressing global issue like climate change, peace and security, human rights, the refugee crisis, and more.

UNA is a grassroots movement of Americans who support the vital work of the United Nations in U.S. communities, colleges, and Congress for more than 70 years,

A political science teacher, Branham has been invited to participate in numerous UN conferences, both in New York and in Geneva, Switzerland. He is a Director-Emeritus of the United Nations Association of Eastern Oklahoma, and has been the faculty sponsor for many ORU student delegations to attend Model United Nations conferences in the Midwest. http://www.unausa.org/global-classrooms-model-un.

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Oral Roberts University is a charismatic university, founded in the fires of evangelism and upon the unchanging precepts of the Bible. The university was founded as a result of the evangelist Oral Roberts' obeying God's mandate to build a university on God's authority and the Holy Spirit.